Friday, August 31, 2012

My open Labour Day letter

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

As we take a well-deserved holiday weekend and enjoy our Labour Day, we
should also remember to celebrate the many fruits of our labour.

Both Canada and the US were built by working class people.It wasn't the CEOs.It wasn't the politicians.It sure wasn't the investors or the
venture capitalists.It was
everyday working class men and women.

To the upper crust, the first Monday of September is just another day
off.But, we, in the union
movement, pay particular notice on Labour Day to acknowledge the essential and
the often thankless work of our sisters and brothers.

We honor the faceless millions who live from paycheck-to-paycheck.We pay tribute to those who juggle
family budgets and priorities to make ends meet - who, through it all, bring
their best efforts to their individual jobs.Those who have endured those years of daily toil and endless
worry will never forget the experience.Those who never lived it, will never understand it.

As union people, we value the hard work of others, and we honor them on
their special day.On the first
Monday in September, we take time to pay our special moments of grateful for
the contributions of the working class.

Whether they're technologists or teachers, soldiers or scholars, labourers
or lab assistants; we unionists, bless them for their work.We demand they are paid a fair and
decent wage, and that they are provided a safe and healthy workplace.

Our colleagues and co-workers bring progress and profitability to their
employers, and we insist that they receive responsible benefits.

Our fellow workers give tirelessly of themselves, and we will fight with
every ounce of energy to protect their retirement packages and privileges.

Most importantly, we, in the union movement, respect all workers, and we
insist that every woman and man be treated equally and fairly without facing harrassment
or discrimination.

We believe employer-provided training and education should be focused on
continuous progress and improvement, and should not simply be a defense against
potential job loss.

We believe workers should enjoy the freedom to engage in collective bargaining.
They should be free to organize without employer’s threats or intimidation.And we believe unions should be legally
recognized through a simple majority of those workers who willingly sign
authorization cards.

The labour of American and Canadian workers, be they for-profit mployees
or public servants, are essential to building our communities, our cities, and
our nations. The labours of working class people are
essential to the progress of business enterprises and government institutions
alike.We know well that employers
cannot survive without the dedicated efforts of their workforces.We understand the differences between
the cause and the effect of workers’ efforts and employers’ successes, and we
will never allow them to become interchanged or confused.

These are among the ideals and principles, which we in the union movement
stand for.

And these are among the reasons we honor workers on their special day.